The even was held by Elite Plus', founder and creator, Trojah Irby-Morgan and her team of fabulous ladies. The group was created to celebrate women with curves, and to provide positive representation for full-figured women. Held at the beautiful Shelter Studios on 54th Street in Manhattan.
The line up of guests was very impressive, and there was different aspects of the Plus Size industry present, to provide feedback, encouragement, and solutions for full-figured women who want to be models, or who just needed some inspiration!
Here is Trojah giving her opening statements:
The line up of speakers included: Jeannie Ferguson, a fit Plus Model who has graced the BET's Rip the Runway, and Full Figured Fashion week. She talked about the realities of being a plus size model, and how she came to be a model in the first place! She explained that she used to be 325lbs, but she had to work hard to get her body measurements where they are today! Her knowledge of the industry comes from the extensive work that she has done on and off the runway, and her background in fashion merchandising, and styling.
She is absolutely stunning and poised, and she is able to communicate with an elegant gracefulness that is very wonderful to see in a plus size model.
She has her own clothing line that she said goes “up to a size 6X”, which I am very excited about checking out. Stay tuned for more information about her clothing line, and pictures of me donning some of her pieces! She was truly an inspiration to me and the other young ladies present at the event.
Here is a picture of Jeannie and me networking after the event:
The next presenter was the fabulous Mrs. Shanda Freeman, Co-Star of MTV's Man and Wife (along with her husband, Fatman Scoop). She is also an expert fashionista and vlogger, and an interior designer, who shares my passion for making homes look beautiful! Mrs. Freeman was also the host of Full Figured Fashion Week 2011!
Shanda discussed the importance of image as a plus size woman. She began by asking the audience a question about whether or not we made an impression about her when she first walked in the room. She asked if we could tell a lot about her personality and style, just by looking at her. Everyone answered "yes".
Shanda explained that image is everything, and before walking out the door in the morning, we should make sure that we have a few solid things in place. #1: a high quality, supportive bra, which has full coverage, and support, even if it creates the appearance of cleavage. #2: a flexible (and easy-to-breathe-in) girdle, to hold everything in place and make everything smooth! And #3: plus sized women should "play up their strengths". If you have an hour glass shape, you should wear things to accentuate your waistline and curves. If you have a bigger bust, with a larger stomach, you should wear things that accentuate your bust, but take away from your larger mid-section. That information is very important. As a woman with an hour glass shape, it's important for me to wear clothing that accentuates my 33 inch waistline!
Shanda was dressed beautifully in a beautiful Black wrap dress from J-Lo's Signature line at Kohl's, and she had on a pair of the most fabulous Diane Von Furstenberg sandals ever! Her hair is clearly her signature, and although she wouldn't give up her secrets on how to achieve the body and fullness, she says that women should find a hairstyle that defines them, and to experiment with color to give your look a sexy edge!
Here is a picture of Shanda Freeman and me networking after the event:
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On the panel of presenters was Ms. Gwen Devoe, a former plus size model and party promoter, who now specializes in model training through The Plus Academy, founded in 1998, with trainings held in over 15 cities. She is owner of Devoe Signature Events, which has produced some of the best plus size fashion shows, party’s and events. Ms. Gwen Devoe is also the Founder of Full Figured Fashion Week, a Plus Size Only Runway, filled with events for the full-figured and fabulous, and those who love them!!!
Ms. Devoe had a wonderful and inspirational message for the young women aspiring to be models. She told how she got into the industry, and how she realized that she had more work to do behind the scenes after she worked the runway! She began producing shows, and working with the best plus size models in the industry.
Ms. Devoe told the young ladies that they should find out where their strengths are, and find their place within the industry, because there is so much work that still needs to be done for the plus size community. She told everyone that they should be very careful when it comes to posting personal status updates on facebook, and lewd or lascivious pictures on social media sites, because it can be detrimental to one's success in the industry. Be professional at all times! Sexy doesn't always have to be trashy! She is an icon in the plus size industry, and her words of wisdom were very inspirational!
The next Speaker was Edwinna Gregg, a dynamic fashionista that currently balances her spare time between being a Plus Model, Freelance Writer and On-air Radio Personality. She hails from Baltimore, Maryland, but since moving to New York in 2008, she has pursued her passion for all things couture. She has strutted down the catwalk during Full Figured Fashion Week in the Full Figured & Fabulous Runway Competition; she was a finalist in the Goddess by Juanita Kelly Model Search, and has appeared on the Tyra Banks Show. In addition to her new role as a contributing writer for Curvy Magazine and Parle Magazine, she also co-hosts an online radio show, Chocolate Sundays.
Edwinna talked to audience about angles, and making sure that you're posture and poses are photo ready. She talked about lines and angles, and making sure that every photo is not just a "wonder woman" photo, with your hands on your hips. Edwinna says that she finds inspiration for a photo shoot by tearing pages with pictures of models posing out of magazines for easy retrieval when she needs ideas for some new poses. Edwinna had some very good information to share with the ladies.
Here is a picture of the beauitful Edwinna Gregg in one her her gorgeous photos:
Up next was Michael Belgrave, Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of BiggerAnd Better Thangs Entertainment, Inc. ("BBT"), a New York based entertainment company that was formed in May of 2003 and provides the New York tri-state area's plus size community and businesses with the opportunity tomix, mingle and network through various avenues that include parties, weekend getaways, a social website, a FB social page, a live internet radio show and various charity events.
Born in California raised in South Jamaica Queens, NY, Mike is known to be a scholar from the School of Hard Knocks. Mike was able to see first hand the lack of plus size friendly social events in the New York tri-state area. So, armed with street smarts and the heart and soul of a true entrepreneur, Mike set out to make a change for the plus size community by creating his own social network - Bigger and Better Thangs Entertainment,Inc.
Mike discussed the 'business aspect' of the plus size world, and he stressed the importance of having a great team who "share your vision" for success. He talked about being an entrepreneur, and how you have to prioritize and ensure that you are constantly working towards your business goals. BBT is having the first only Plus Size Masquerade Ball in NYC in October, and a ski trip in March of 2012. Michael also has a radio show in New York City entitiled Chocolate Sundays.
Here is a picture of me and Michael Belgrave networking after the event:
The last presenter was the
Crystal Carmen, owner of Pink Stiletto Cosmetics, an independent cosmetic brand started in 2010. Crystal
For the event,
Here is a picture of
This is a picture of me and Crystal networking after the event:
Crystal even graced me with one of her make-overs. I normally don't wear a lot of make-up! I like to have luxurious lashes, a little black liner, and some lip-gloss for sheen, but Crystal dared me to take it up a notch, and to accentuate my sexy outfit with some sexy make-up! Here are the before and after pictures from my make-over with Crystal Carmen:
Me looking glamorous and sexy afterwards:
The kissable red lips were a very nice addition to the look. I felt very sexy and sultry after my make-over!
Overall, I had a very fun and exciting time, and I learned a lot more about the plus size industry, and I met some incredible people. I also learned a few things that will help me to help others! I'd give this event the Harlem Diva seal of approval!
Here are some more pictures from the event:
Ladies preparing for the catwalk!
Me taking a Diva Break to shop with some of the vendors at the event:
After a day of networking and shopping, this Diva made her way to Times Square in New York City, for dinner and drinks, and socializing!
Stay tuned for more social events and plus size friendly activites and businesses, bought to you by Ms. Harlem Diva!
